2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Service Brakes Problems

31 complaints about Service Brakes

31
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Service Brakes Complaints (31)

Dec 15, 2025 Crash

The brake stopped working. I just bought the car two months ago.

Jul 21, 2025

I have this pick up I was on a hill heading down to stop sighn pressed on brake and went to the floor no resistance nothing luckily it was a rural rd went thru stop sigh coasted to a stop was 1/4 from home lifted hood the brake reservoir was full all brakes were in top shape it was like something shut off the brakes electrically I have driven many large trucks and buses and vehicles never felt this no spongey at all it is at the dealership they are looking at but my concern this could be a far worst circumstance if in heavy traffic or at cross walk can’t even think of it. Scary I would think gm would have some type of secondary for electric malfunction the vehicle is at Cerrone gmc south Attleborough mass. My vehicle is 2021 Chevy Silverado 75000 miles well maintained. In short I believe the mechanics will diagnose and fix it but my concern. That these vehicles need safety checks

Jun 29, 2025

2021 Silverado 1500 TrailBoss LT Brake Sensor Monitor failure causes you not to be able to see brake pad wear/life remaining on dash information. Brake Pads (front and rear) replaced with sensor on 12/14/2023 and was unable to reset the brake pad monitor on dash (would not reset passed 51%) at approx 32K miles 01/2024, Front Left Sensor Monitor replaced again by dealership for $293 06/2025 Truck prompting if brake pads were replaced recently on dashboard 06/13/25 Brake Pad Life showing at 71% Front and 77% Rear at approx 50K miles 06/14/25, Brake Pad Sensor Monitor Error Message

Jun 5, 2025

First my engine light came on and as I was in my way to the dealership I lost my brakes. It stayed at the shop for a week before I was contacted only for them to tell me that there was metal shaving in my engine oil and they recommend full replacement, meanwhile haven’t even made it to my brakes. GM offered me 3K toward replacing the 13K+ engine. That’s so unacceptable!

May 3, 2025

Metal shavings were found in my oil after the check engine light came on a day before I took it in. The day that I took it in my brakes limited the speed of my truck to 43 mph due brake malfunction. The dealership called and told me that they recommend engine replacement due to the metal shavings found in the oil. I can give more in depth info as I receive it but I just wanted to alert Chevy that my vehicle is doing the same thing that the others are getting recalled for.

May 3, 2025

I am reporting a safety concern that I believe should be included in an existing or expanded recall for the Chevrolet Silverado. The issue involves engine replacement due to metal shaving being found in oil & brake failure, which occurred on 05/01/2025 The problem with the brakes occurred while I was in heavy traffic in Dallas, Texas multiple times, resulted in multiple near-accident experiences that day. The truck has been diagnosed by a mechanic, at the Chevy dealership and I believe this defect poses a serious safety risk and may be affecting other Silverado vehicles outside the current recall scope. I have driven the vehicle to Chevy and stayed in constant contact with the dealership, had diagnostics done, but the issue has not been resolved. am requesting that the NHTSA investigate whether this issue warrants inclusion in the current recall or a new safety campaign. I have on had this vehicle less than 2 years and I put less than 70K miles on it. I purchased it from vandergriff Chevrolet in Arlington, TX

Jan 10, 2025

When putting vehicle in PARK and releasing the foot brake it rolls back an excessive amount of space sometimes it rolls back so much we begin to get scared thinking we are still in DRIVE and jump back in vehicle just to learn we are in PARK. We have had this issue since the day of getting truck in August of 2024 and how much it rolls back is never consistent on the length of the roll back. Sometimes it feels like it make even slip out of gear and just keeping rolling. It’s very scary and we have almost knocked ourselves out when it happens trying to jump back in to stop it.

Dec 2, 2024

Mechanics said that they see this on all new chevy trucks that the bracket causes the rubber brake line to rub on the bracket holding it in place also causing it to stretch and tear. Resulting in a over 500 dollar fix. The brakes failed on the interstate causing them to lock up. Almost killing me and my daughter but was able to gain control of the vehicle and save it.

Oct 4, 2024

While leaving work I started the truck like normal and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. Saying service ESC, service power steering,and service brake system. The ESC light was on as well as the check engine light. There was no forewarning about this.

Sep 11, 2024

I took my car to the dealership four times because the engine light and the ESC light kept coming on. It kept saying there was a misfire so they changed the spark plugs and did a gas treatment after I left the dealership the light came back on so I returned the next day. They change one wire that’s what they told me. The problem was so I left engine light came back on. I returned the next day then they changed the wires I left the facility again. The next day I got them started the car, the same problem, engine light, and the ESC light and now they have the car in the shop and they need to break the engine down to see what’s causing the misfire and to find out if I need a new engine or not. Who is all that shit right now?

Mar 26, 2024

I was driving along about 45 mph and the truck was cruising in overdrive so about 1500 rmp on tachometer. I hit the gas to climb a hill as truck started to lose speed and when it tried to shift out of od to pick up speed the brakes seemed to slam on and I skidded to almost a stop. This has happened several times when climbing a hill or anytime I have to pass a vehicle or accelerate from out of overdrive. The dealer could never seem to get it to reproduce during test drive. They recently said there is a service bulletin for this exact issue and are waiting for a new valve body for transmission. My service records show I had a new valve body installed last year due to transmission pump bearing coming apart internally. The valve body is only a year old. But this is a very dangerous situation. I have to drive my truck for work and I have to be really cognizant of how hard I touch the gas and what gear I am in. If this happens to anyone while on the freeway and a semi or another vehicle is too close their truck will downshift and lock brakes and it could cost a life. It only happens under these circumstances but it has to be a recall. A service bulletin doesn't get it as someone has to have it happen for it to even be looked at. I have to drive my truck as I do not have a choice. But a service bulletin shows that GM I'd aware of the issue but they are unwilling to do a recall. A lotnof silverados are on the road and inwould hate for anything to happen. It could ruin a lot of lives.

Aug 17, 2023

Started having a rubbing sound in rear end of vehicle. Took it to dealer. Brake calipers are a issue on this model and dealer says, “ found updated rear brake calipers with deflectors to help with dirt in rear calipers/not covered under warranty customer pay expense”, they are replacing rotors under warranty that got worn out. They want me to pay $2400 to purchase and have the “updated brake calipers” installed. If brake calipers are updated then that means there is a known issue with them. Spoke with the manufacturer and they said too bad.

Jul 28, 2023

While parked I turned on the truck and got service sec warning and power steering failure. Brakes barely worked and wheel was locked. After restarting the car three times it went away and truck became driveable. Took it to a dealership and they said there’s nothing they could do as a code didn’t pop. Seems unacceptable as my family is consistently in the car and if it happens while driving could be extremely dangerous

Jul 3, 2023

While pulling out into traffic the vehicle will momentarily lose all electrical power and the engine shuts off causing loss of brakes and steering.

Mar 20, 2023

Loud growling. Breaks safety concern due to fail.

Mar 9, 2023

My safety system service warning comes on for about 30 seconds and then goes back off. This has happened about 4 times now. The transmission causes my truck to shake randomly. My pulley is going out and the local dealer said they wouldn't replace is under warranty(even though my warranty was still is effect) because they said it looked like someone sprayed tire cleaner under the hood(I bought it from the same dealership that I took it to for this service.) The brake seem to shake already when coming to a stop. They seem as if they are wearing prematurely.

Feb 13, 2023

ESC failed. The 2021 Chevy Silverado (39495 mi) began to shutter and a slight bouncing of the rear end. The ESC light came on the service ESC warning on the dashboard then the check engine light began to blink at the same time the parking brake light came on. The dash warning switched to have parking brake serviced. The truck as best as I could tell applied the parking brake several times for no reason while at highway speeds and traffic on all sides. All warnings stopped when Auto engine shut down at exit ramp light. Previously brought into dealership for “Service ECS” and “Service Power Steering Drive With Care”. I was told “ unable to replicate “ (23194 mi). Vehicle was returned to me. They did confirm the dash warning was stored in the computer. I do not believe any warning (blinkers) or brake lights came on to warn vehicles behind me of the rear brakes being applied by the ESC.

Jan 29, 2023

So I have been having issues with my truck losing oil. My dealership told me that Walmart made an issue with the oil filter causing it to leak oil out. After the dealership corrected the issue. I was on my way to the store this morning it was damp so I was having a lot of traction issues. Got to the gas station checked tires, no issue with them. Temperature is above freezing. Just thought maybe it’s in my head. Well I get about 2 miles from my house and low oil light comes on again. So this is an issue. It has happened 2 times to me. Had I not been cautious I could have slipped off the road or had a collision because the oil mixing with the water on the roadways. I will be reaching out to my dealership tomorrow to try and get them to correct this issue again. Seems there is a service bulletin on how to tighten the oil filter. Because of oil leaks.

Dec 18, 2022

Anytime the weather gets colder than 32degrees Fahrenheit the DEF system freezes, which even if the tank is full makes the truck go into limp mode until it thaws out. The engine light pops on and off with no codes associated with it. Now the breaks and break lines are freezing when it gets below freezing. These are just a few of the reoccurring problems we’ve experienced since buying the truck less than a year ago.

Jul 8, 2022

2021 Silverado Trail Boss. Went to the store, came outside started the truck and it showed me ESC Warning and Power Steering Failure Drive with Care notice on the dash. The Steering was very hard to turn. I tried multiple times, and it did not work. I started reading information on line and found out that there are multiple truck owners who had same issue. I saw some information to leave the truck off for 20 - 30 min and try again. I left it off for 30 min and started again. At that time it started fine. I am going to the Chevy dealer because this can also happen while I am driving and it can cause an accident. My truck has only 12k miles.

Jun 5, 2022

Can't pull a trailer without the SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT coming on a dinging over and over. Had my trailer completely rewired only to find out its a malfunction on my truck not my trailer. My truck is a 2021 Silverado z71 trail boss with low mileage

May 14, 2022

When I start my Chevy Silverado 1500, three warning lights come on that are telling me that I have brake system failure 43 MPH top speed, Service ESC and Service Trailer Brake system. When I drive, the brakes are very mushy and the truck is very difficult to brake. 20 minutes later after stopping and getting ready to take the truck to the dealer, the brakes worked fine. The dealer couldn't replicate the problem at first, but finally had the issue when they were putting it on the rack to perform improve my tire alignment, so they said they updated the software. The truck brakes worked fine when I left the dealership. The next day (Saturday) I went to start the truck and the same issue happened. I can't take it in as Service is not available on Saturdays so I started looking online. Apparently there are several other owners dealing with this same issue and have been for years. I have read that it might be a variety of things causing this issue, but someone needs to get this resolved ASAP as I have read about some getting into accidents regarding this. My truck is only 16 months old and only has 14,000 miles on it.

Dec 30, 2021

While driving the vehicle on a snow covered road the check engine light, abs light, esc light and parking brake light all came on. The vehicle also lost braking power. Took to the dealer. They told me it was a brake control module. If you do some research this is a on going thing since 2018. But they still continue to put this part in the trucks. On top of all of that they don't have a replacement part for the truck. Now the truck is going to sit at the dealer for one to two months. I am now paying on a truck that I can't drive to work and no loaners available. my question is why are they aloud to still put these parts in a truck. How do I know if they fix it if the problem wont happen again. If it does happen i hope my family and any one else is not in the way of my truck that I am unable to stop.

Nov 6, 2021

I purchased my vehicle on 10/11/21 new with 4716 miles on it and on 10/27/21 a “service brake assist system “ came on along with the check engine light. I drove directly to Long Chevrolet and GMC of Athens, Tennessee. They scanned the codes and determine that the master break cylinder and associated system needs to be replaced. They kept the vehicle stating that the brake system could fail. It is now 11/6/21 and they have no estimated timeline on being able to get parts to repair my vehicle. I now have to make a payment on a vehicle I can not drive

Sep 10, 2021

the trailer brake serve light is on amd the parking brake will not come off, the truck is undrivable

Jul 23, 2021

My best friends truck, a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado had a brake failure a July 2021. Was coming up to an intersection to make a left turn and went to press the brake pedal to slow down for the turn. Pedal went all the way to the floor and the truck wasn't slowing down much at all. Multiple brake system warnings and lights came on the dash along with the check engine light. It got towed to the dealership he bought it from. They replaced the brake system control module and said it's good to go. Maybe it is, maybe it's not. There have already been 2 recalls pertaining to this exact issue released, none of which applied to his truck according to the VIN recall checker on GM's website. If the problem has been figured out and fixed, then it wouldn't still be occuring. This is a MAJOR safety concern, one that I feel people need to be aware of. Which is why I'm sharing what happened to my friend's truck on behalf of him. This situation is exactly why the emergency brake on vehicles is an all mechanical system that allows the driver to quickly and directly be able to apply the vehicles brakes. It's a reliable and dependable system that's been implemented for over a century. This is a prime example of why vehicles still need to have one onboard. This vehicle doesn't have a real emergency brake. There was an emergency in which the vehicles primary brakes failed and weren't able to slow down the vehicle. The little "emergency brake" button was more worthless than the main brakes that failed to do their job on this truck with less than 5,000 miles on it because the emergency brake system on this truck has worked 0% of the time it was needed so far. This isn't some engine misfire, sunvisor defect, or Bluetooth pairing problem, this is an out of nowhere total brake system failure. This is not good. And people need to be made aware that the problem is still occurring, and on vehicle's that GM isn't aware that it may be applicable to according to the absence of any recalls per VIN.

Jul 11, 2021

Faulty lifters causing the truck to throw piston rods. This causes malfunction of the traction control, parking brake, transmission,auto locking rear differential. I have had my truck in the shop 3 times for the same issue all within the 1st 10,000 miles. This particular motor has been taken out of production. Upon speaking to mechanic managers at multiple GM dealerships they were not surprised and personally gave me advice on the lemon law. My truck, which is my 1st brand new vehicle, has been out of service now for a total of 45days. I have still made payments up to date. The dealership offers a car or small suv while repairs are being completed, not a truck! Beware of the 5.3litre ecotec3 v8 motor.

Jul 9, 2021

Truck started wobbling and the engine light, traction control light , and Peking brake light came on . Also It say service ESC. Truck is making a horrible noise underneath.

Jun 28, 2021

Purchased new Chevrolet Silverado AT4 last week and with only 72 miles on the odometer a warning light appeared on instrument cluster stating “Service Brake Assist”. Returned to dealer where purchased with 91 miles on odometer 3 days later. Dealer service department confirmed a faulty brake control module and ordered replacement part. New brake control module will arrive in 4 days and will be installed at that time. In the meantime, service manager said vehicle is safe to drive with existing brake control module. This is being submitted because of previous significant vehicle recalls on record for the same issue in 2018-2020. It appears the problem or some iteration of the problem has not been corrected yet in the 2021 models.

May 6, 2021

BOUGHT THE TRUCK 2 WEEKS AGO AND PUT 500 MILES ON IT. UPON ENTERING I GOT AN ALERT ON THE DASH SAYING ESC POWER STEERING FAILURE, PARKING SENSOR FAILURE AND ABS FAILURE DRIVE WITH CAUTION. ALL THESE ALERTS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BARELY TURNED ON. SURE ENOUGH I TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT AND THE PARKING SENSORS WERE OUT. I DIDN'T TRY THE BRAKES SINCE I WAS NOT MOVING AND PARKED.

Mileage: 510

May 1, 2021

GOT CEL CODE P25A2, C2A02, C2A03 3 TIMES NOW. FIRST TIME DEALERSHIP HAD NO IDEA (SUBURBAN CHEVY SANDY OR), SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. NOW THIS IS THE 3RD TIME AND THEY HAVE THE TRUCK FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG... TRUCK GETS THE CEL WHILE DRIVING.